Names released of detectives involved in shooting that left man dead in St. Lucie County

Sheriff Ken Mascara said Saturday an attempt to buy drugs from a known cocaine and heroin trafficker ended with the death of Rio Antwuan Thomas, 27, of Port St. Lucie. Mascara said Thomas almost ran over several detectives, who fired their weapons.
Treasure Coast Newspapers

Vehicle involved in a deputy involved shooting Nov. 17, 2018 which left one suspect dead is seen outside a Long John Silvers near Okeechobee Road.(Photo11: LAMAUR STANCIL/TCPALM)

Rio Antwuan Thomas, 27, who detectives identified as a person wanted for trafficking heroin, drove into a parking lot in the 2800 block of Okeechobee Road on Crossroads Parkway in Fort Pierce about 2:15 p.m. Nov. 17.

As investigators moved in to arrest him, one detective moved his patrol car behind Thomas' car. Other detectives approached him on foot. Thomas then put his car in reverse and backed into the detective's car, St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said.

Thomas then put the car into drive and hit a detective with his car. Detectives shot at Thomas as he continued to drive in their direction, killing him.

"We see criminals are becoming more violent," Mascara said. "Right now, it's a very trying time for law enforcement."

According to court records, Thomas had a criminal history in St. Lucie County going back several years. Some arrests include driving with license suspended; resisting an officer without violence; possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana; willful, wanton reckless driving; fleeing or eluding law enforcement lights and siren; high speed or wanton fleeing; and battery.